Newsletter May 2024
May the 4th Be with You
Celebrate Star Wars Day on Saturday, May 4 from 2-4 pm at the Potocki Center for the Arts.
Featuring the 501st Legion, Kona Ice food truck, crafts and activities for kids, trivia and a cosplay contest for all ages, game demos for teens and adults and a community art showcase, this fun free event will have something for everyone.
Visit https://cityofmissionviejo.org/departments/library/star-wars-day for more information.
The Potocki Center for the Arts is located at 27301 La Paz Road.
Friends of the Library Bookstore Happenings
The Friends of the Mission Viejo Library is hosting its annual “Purse Palooza” handbag sale from 10 am to 2 pm on Saturday, May 4 at the Norman P. Murray Community Center, 24932 Veterans Way. This popular event boasts a wide variety of purses for sale at extraordinary prices, which is great for Mother’s Day gift-giving. All proceeds benefit the Mission Viejo Library.
Along with the handbag sale, be sure to save the date for the Friends of the Library’s Summer Book Sale June 7-8. The two-day sale is a great way to stock up for your summer reading. Thousands of nearly new materials for all ages will be available with pricing starting as low as 25 cents. In preparation for the sale, donations of gently used children’s books, Blu-Rays, puzzles and games are sought. Donations are tax deductible and can be dropped off in the bookstore during regular hours. Bookstore hours are Monday through Thursday from 10 am to 6 pm; Friday 1 to 4:30 pm; and Saturday 10 am to 4 pm.
Let’s get crafty!
Miniature Painting Workshop for Beginners introduces basic techniques for painting tabletop miniatures using base, shade and layer paints.
This program is open to age 14 and older and takes place on May 6 from 6 to 8 pm at the Potocki Center for the Arts, 27301 La Paz Road. Seats are limited, so be sure to register for this program online.
Join us on the Heritage Reading Porch on May 8 from 6:30-8:30 pm at the library for Coloring for Adults. A few colored pencils are all it takes to help reduce stress, increase mindfulness, and exercise your creative side. This free program is designed to provide adults 18 and older with a calm outlet to express their creativity. No registration required and all supplies are provided.
Adults 18 and older can indulge their creative side with a fun and meditative art activity – Sand Layer Art! Create your own artistic masterpiece. All supplies are provided for this free program. Join us on May 11 from 2-3:30 pm in the Library Storytime Room. Seats are limited, so be sure to register via email at libraryprograms@cityofmissionviejo.org.
Children’s Top 3 Programs for May
On May 17 sneak into the library after hours for our Family Fort Night! Come play in the library and build cozy reading nooks for you and your family to enjoy. Snacks and fun activities are provided.
A mermaid is coming to the library! Swim by on Saturday, May 18 at 11 am to meet Marigold the Mermaid during our special Mermaid Storytime. Enjoy a special, one-of-a-kind storytime performance with our underwater guest. Dressing up is encouraged, and stick around for the chance to take photos with Marigold! Sign up by emailing: libraryprograms@cityofmissionviejo.org
The next thing we’re excited about isn’t until June but our Summer Reading Program is just around the corner! Mark your calendars for June 15 to register online on our website or in person in the library. Parents can also join in the fun with our Adult Summer Reading Program for a chance to enter weekly drawings for prizes.
Local Authors invited to apply for Local Author Showcase and Book Fair
The Mission Viejo Library is inviting local authors to apply for the second Local Author Showcase and Book Fair on Sunday, June 30 from 1 to 4 pm at the Norman P. Murray Community Center.
Showcase space is limited to 30 participants. Fifteen local authors will have the opportunity to share their writing journey during a 5-minute presentation, and all 30 authors will have their own display table.
Applications are open to all local authors residing in Orange County and are due by 5 pm on Monday, May 13. For additional information, email LibraryPrograms@cityofmissionviejo.org. To apply, visit https://cityofmissionviejo.org/local-author-showcase-and-book-fair.
‘Hunting your Heritage in the Unknown Branches’ with Kristi Sexton
Looking for that elusive puzzle piece to complete your family tree? Sometimes it isn’t always found in the usual places. There are strategies to find unknown information using branches of your tree that you wouldn’t normally explore. This course teaches you how to review collateral relatives; neighbors; and other vital sources to find the missing link.
Leading the program is Kristi L. Sexton, a researcher, educator, and speaker. She has researched her personal genealogy since her youth and specializes in US research, adoption searches, and preservation. Kristi has a master’s degree in auditing/accounting from Texas A&M; is the past president of the Orange County California Genealogical Society; and was an adjunct professor in the Family History Department at BYU Idaho. As an alumna of ProGen 42 (2020) and a certificate holder in genealogical research from Boston University, Kristi continues to advance her skills through various educational institutes and courses. Active in the genealogical community, Kristi is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists (APG), National Genealogical Society (NGS), and several local and regional genealogical societies. She owns One Leaf Genealogy, LLC, offering her expertise to clients and contributing to genealogical research and preservation of records.
This free presentation is at 10 am on Saturday, May 18 at the Mission Viejo Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 27976 Marguerite Parkway. No registration required.
The South Orange County California Genealogical Society’s Genealogy Research Center located at the Mission Viejo Library is open five days a week with docents available to help you. Visit https://soccgs.org/library-hours for current hours.
